Veteran running back Brian Westbrook still wants to play football. And he checked out OK medically during his weekend visit to Rams Park. But will he end up in St. Louis?

Stay tuned. After meeting with Rams coaches and team officials, Westbrook left town and is mulling his options.

"He wanted to go back (home) and think it over," Rams general manager Billy Devaney said Monday. "We're just taking it one step at a time right now."

The Rams wouldn't have brought him in for a physical if they didn't think he could still be a productive player, albeit as a complement to Steven Jackson in the St. Louis backfield and not as a feature back.

Although Westbrook, 30, has plenty of wear and tear on his body after eight seasons in the NFL, the Rams apparently were satisfied with his physical enough to remain interested in signing him.

That's not to say there aren't concerns, but the two concussions Westbrook suffered last season do not appear to be an issue. Westbrook probably returned too quickly after suffering the first concussion but eventually was able to return to action by the end of the season.

But Westbrook's left knee, which was first injured playing basketball at DeMatha High School in Maryland, requires careful maintenance. The knee usually swells up if he practices or plays on artificial turf. And it wasn't unusual for Westbrook to miss practice over the past couple of seasons to let the knee rest.

The Rams play at least half their games on artificial turf every season in the Edward Jones Dome. Westbrook knows the offensive system brought here by former Eagles assistant Pat Shurmur, who is the Rams' offensive coordinator. So other than making sure he had his timing down, at this stage of his career Westbrook wouldn't need practice every day.

Westbrook also has an arthritic ankle, which needed surgery last June. Because of all the missed practice time following the ankle surgery, Westbrook got off to a sluggish start in the 2009 regular season. He was just rounding into form when he suffered the first concussion Oct. 26 against Washington. Westbrook took a knee to the helmet from Redskins linebacker London Fletcher.

After missing two games, Westbrook returned Nov. 16 against San Diego and suffered a second concussion. He didn't play again until Week 16 and later said that he came back too soon from the first concussion.

As recently as 2007, Westbrook rushed for a career-high 1,333 yards and established career highs for catches (90) and receptions yards (771). His 2,104 yards from scrimmage that year was an Eagles record, helping him earn his second Pro Bowl berth.

Still effective in 2008, Westbrook rushed for 936 yards, had 402 reception yards and scored 14 touchdowns in 14 games. But the ankle surgery and concussions took their toll last season. His 274 yards rushing on 61 carries marked his lowest output since his rookie season in 2002.

In late February, the Eagles announced they would release Westbrook, who was due to make more than $7 million in 2010 had he stayed in Philly.

"I think we all know that Brian is one of the all-time great Philadelphia Eagles," coach Andy Reid said at the time.

Earlier in the offseason, Minnesota and Green Bay expressed some interest in Westbrook, but the Rams appear to be the only team currently pursuing him.

SenselessChiefsFan

04-27-2010, 11:03 AM

I think he should retire. I also think that the Rams are chasing rainbows if they think he can stay healthy.

Short Leash Hootie

04-27-2010, 11:04 AM

time for you to be a hometown fan and stop bugging us Chiefs fans...

Great time for you to jump on season tickets in St. Louis, man!

Have a good life.

OnTheWarpath58

04-27-2010, 11:06 AM

I think he should retire. I also think that the Rams are chasing rainbows if they think he can stay healthy.

I think he should as well.

But from the Rams perspective, even if they get 8 games out of him, it's better than the 8 games they'd play with the scrubs behind Jackson.

He'd be a good weapon for a rookie QB, and already knows the system.

There's really no risk here. It's not like they are going to give him a ton of guaranteed cash.

SenselessChiefsFan

04-27-2010, 11:09 AM

I think he should as well.

But from the Rams perspective, even if they get 8 games out of him, it's better than the 8 games they'd play with the scrubs behind Jackson.

He'd be a good weapon for a rookie QB, and already knows the system.

There's really no risk here. It's not like they are going to give him a ton of guaranteed cash.

True. I just wish Westbrook wasn't willing to risk his quality of life for a team that will do well to win 4, scratch that, 2 games.

OnTheWarpath58

04-27-2010, 11:12 AM

True. I just wish Westbrook wasn't willing to risk his quality of life for a team that will do well to win 4, scratch that, 2 games.

I agree 100%.

He's had a great run. No sense in taking a beating for a paycheck any longer.